"Masada will not fall again!"

We were told, “You MUST visit Masada!” over and over by so many people but who really knew what we were about to experience?  To truly comprehend the meaning of Masada one must visit here first hand. We left Jerusalem early and descended down to the lowest spot on earth with our ears popping all the way.  The landscape changed dramatically within 5 minutes of our ride and we left behind the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem and entered into the serene world of the desert.  Ami (our guide) told us about the Nomads or Bedouin’s who live in the desert as we passed their portable and makeshift housing.  An interesting way of life, someday I hope to visit a Bedouin village and to be offered only a ½ a cup of coffee! (A sign that you are welcome and that they want you to stay!)  We passed the Dead Sea to our left and huge rock cliffs like mountains on our right. (hey, I’m from Indiana….so they looked like mountains to me!) We arrived to Masada which looked like just another “mountain” in itself except that the top was flat. Then we packed into the cable car! Whoa!  I had to take a picture of us in the cable car because some of the looks on our faces were just priceless!  It was an impressive 1.30 minute ride to the top with amazing views all around us. 

 

Ami took us immediately to a nearby shaded area and told us that before we began we must understand the history of Masada.  His serious tone drew us in and we realized that this place was not just a cool archeological find.  This place has deep meaning; we could sense it and we were on the edge of our seats waiting to find out more.  I will not give you the history now because for one, I can’t do it justice.   As I said before, you can read about it but you can’t truly comprehend the importance of this place until you stand on top and experience it for yourself.  The vow that every soldier entering into the Israeli military says, “Masada will never fall again” while standing on the top of this mountain has really touched my heart.  The devotion, love and commitment that the Jewish people have for their country is more than admirable.  I find myself lost for words to describe the loyalty and determination that I find here and my love for Israel and her people grows and grows.

 

 

 

Whoa!  Some seriously interested faces right here... Ami is explaining how this room used to be a bath house! I think Pastor Marc is trying to figure out how to build this at home!

 

Second half of our day will come on the next post... Stay tuned!  And come to Israel!
Kim